DOH Usec Paolo Teston named new FDA chief

Malacañang confirmed Friday the appointment of Health Undersecretary Atty. Paolo Teston as the new director general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This was confirmed by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro to reporters at the sidelines of a press briefing. No reason was given why Dr. Samuel Zacate was replaced at the agency's helm.

Zacate served as the lead physician of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Meanwhile, the FDA welcomed its new director general, saying that his appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the agency.

In a press release, Teston said his mission is to restore public trust and bring the agency to new heights of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency.

"I assume this role with a clear and urgent mandate: to raise the standard of service at the FDA—not through promises or plans alone, but through action,'' he said.

Teston also said he intends to conduct a thorough review of the agency’s core operations, including inspection, licensing, and monitoring, to ensure the safety of health products. 

The reforms will be swift, strategic, and anchored on concrete results, according to the new FDA chief.

He also expressed his strong commitment to ensure the welfare of FDA employees as he pledged to explore ways to improve job security, professional growth, and working conditions across the agency.

“Let us take care of our people. They are the hands on the wheel and the feet on the ground—they are key to the agency’s progress. We will listen to them, support them, and invest in their future,” Teston said.

Teston served as Undersecretary of the Department of Health, leading the Health Regulation and Facility Development Cluster (HRFDC), which includes the Health Facility Development Bureau, the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, and the Bureau of Quarantine. — VDV, GMA Integrated News